Emmy and Nicky Awards Big, Bold and Gay-Friendly

In an awards show that’s being touted as “gay-friendly” and “bolder” than other awards shows in the past, this weekend’s Emmy presentation featured same-sex spouses, George Clooney’s gay snuggling, and a straight naked John Lithgow. They even said “Bitch” twice!

In a ceremony that pushed several sexy boundaries, this year’s Emmy Awards broadcast featured such racy personas as Betty White, the Old Spice Guy, and openly gay Neil Patrick Harris, who joked that it was awesome the awards show was being hosted by a gay man for the second year in a row (much to straight Jimmy Fallon’s feigned shock.) George Clooney was depicted lying in bed with the gay stars of A Modern Family, which won an Emmy for best new comedy—so it looks like the show’s other star, Sofia Vergara will be running down Sunset Boulevard naked as she promised. Or, so we hope.

Other winners were the stars of the show Glee, such as openly lesbian Jane Lynch, who kissed her wife as soon as her name was called up to the podium to receive her best supporting actress award. Glee creator Ryan Murphy also thanked his same sex partner during his speech for his best comedy director award.

In other acknowledgments, the 35th Annual Nicky Awards one of the most prestigious LGBT specific awards ceremonies, was also hosted this weekend. Among the honorees were West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman and Rob Halford of heavy metal giant Judas Priest for lifetime achievement in the arts. Of course, if things keep on such an open-minded, progressive track with the mainstream productions like the Emmys, maybe we’ll soon be seeing the Nicky Awards broadcast on national TV, too.